Doncaster Apprentice star donates clothes to young children left "homeless" for Christmas after flat fire

Darren Burke, Communities reporter

A big-hearted Doncaster star of The Apprentice has offered to donate clothes to a family left "homeless" for Christmas after a flat fire.

Frances Bishop, who runs the Pud children's clothing store in St Sepulchre Gate and is currently bidding to be named Lord Sugar's sidekick in the hit BBC show, has stepped in to help a West Country family facing a bleak Christmas after a fire at their home.

Scarlett, nine, and Taylor-Rose Middleton, six, lost all their possessions after fire tore through their mum Nina's home last month.

Nina Middleton and her children managed to escape their first-floor flat in Plymouth after a fire broke out in the early hours of November 26 - but their Christmas tree, presents and possessions were destroyed after flames spread through the flat within minutes.

After hearing of the family's woes, Frances has offered to donate all-new clothes for Nina's children free of charge.

The 25-year-old businesswoman, who set up her children's clothing store in 2014, said she "felt awful" for the family after reading about their ordeal and wanted to help.

She explained: "[Former Apprentice candidate] Brett Butler Smythe shared the story on twitter and I read it and just felt awful for them.

"It's dreadful what has happened. If Nina wants to get in touch, we have lots of items available that would suit her two young daughters.

"We can send her daughters some Christmas-themed outfits and some pairs of shoes."

Nina and her two children have since moved in to her mother's house in Peverell after being told it will be a minimum of six weeks before they can return to their flat.